Shannon: Top Reads of 2019
I use GoodReads simply to track how many books I read and keep track of a general rating; I typically never take the actual reviews or public ratings seriously. (I mean, who are some of those people?) The past few years, I’ve set a reading goal. In 2018, I read 26 books. This year, however, I’m on track to finish 106 before the clock strikes midnight on December 31.
I mention this because, throughout the past few years, I’ve felt a self-imposed pressure to read political books, books that make me think, books that seem impressive. And that’s how I ended up only reading 26 books in 2018. (To be honest, I may have read more; I think I re-read the Harry Potter series that year.) But in 2019, I didn’t give a shit if the books I read impressed people. I read YA novels. I read thrillers you can get through in an afternoon. I read memoirs that made me laugh and cry. I read a few politically-inclined books, and I even read a few romance novels.
So, as the person who’s read the fewest books this year here at She’s Full of Lit (Moira and Elizabeth are machines), let me encourage you to increase your reading goal for 2020, and not worry if you read a “guilty pleasure” now and then (let’s banish that term, shall we?).
Now, in no particular order, here are my top 12 of the year. (Yes, Elizabeth and I seem to have a lot in common.) They run the gamut from memoirs (one of my favorite genres) and historical novels to 9/11 non-fiction (there are 2).
“Small Fry” by Lisa Brennan-Jobs. This was one of the first books I read in 2019, and to be honest, I was annoyed when I finished it because I knew immediately it was going to be a favorite and I had just devoured it so quickly. Lisa is an absolutely beautiful writer and her journey with both of her parents (not just Steve) is so incredible; she writes openly and honestly about her confusion at Steve’s refusal to accept his paternity and reluctance to include her in his family.
“Ninth House” by Leigh Bardugo (Elizabeth’s review here). I have never been a huge fantasy fan (other than Harry Potter, because, it’s Harry Potter), but on Elizabeth’s recommendation, I picked this one up and soldiered through the first 80 pages, which made little to no sense to me. Once I got through those, though (and I should say, they were by no means boring, but there was little to no exposition), I loved this dark, twisted feminist fantasy.
“Trick Mirror” by Jia Tolentino (my review here). Jia’s essays about everything from chopped salad and Fyre Festival to sexual assault and the institution of marriage is a must-read. I felt dumb while reading this, and that’s a compliment. The essays on scams, marriage, and difficult women were my favorites. And if you don’t want to take my word for it, Barack Obama included it on his top books of 2019 list.
“The Great Believers” by Rebecca Makkai (my review here). This novel, set primarily in 1980s Chicago, has the distinction of being on all 3 of our top 10 lists. A devastating look at the destruction that AIDS wrought in one of the biggest cities in the U.S., Makkai’s thoughtful portrayal is absolutely heart-wrenching. There were even a few unexpected twists along the way which made the modern Paris storyline (one of two parallel narratives) worthwhile.
“The Only Plane in the Sky” by Garrett M. Graff (Elizabeth’s review here). I don’t recommend reading this one on public transit. Graff does an excellent job portraying the simultaneous points of chaos that were 9/11, and included interviews with survivors, victims’ family members, military, and even…Donald Rumsfeld. This one made even me cry; 9/11 was a day that changed everything, and this one gives you a front-row seat, even when you may not want one.
“The Looming Tower” by Lawrence Wright. As a precursor to “The Only Plane in the Sky,” might I recommend this Pulitzer Prize-winner by one of my favorite non-fiction writers? This one took me awhile to get through, but the insight it provides into the beginnings of al Qaeda and the planning of 9/11 was fascinating. This one is also a Hulu series but don’t just watch the TV show; it doesn’t portray anything before page 300 or so of the book.
“Save Me the Plums” by Ruth Reichl (my review here). Despite my passion for not cooking, I adored this memoir of Ruth Reichl’s time at the helm of Gourmet magazine. Her food writing is incredible, and as a former journalism student, I love any glimpse behind the scenes of pre-2000s Conde Nast. (Those budgets!) I loved this one and predict you will too, even if your favorite thing to prepare for dinner is a glass of wine while you wait for the delivery guy.
“City of Girls” by Elizabeth Gilbert (Elizabeth’s review here). Such a fun novel primarily set in 1940s New York. Young girl moves to the big city, meets and befriends some dancers, has a lot of sex, makes some mistakes, and winds up figuring out how to make her life her own. An excellent coming-of-age story that I flew through last summer.
“Know My Name” by Chanel Miller (my review here | Elizabeth’s review here). To no one’s surprise, this stunning memoir about the aftermath of sexual assault and abuse is on my list. Chanel’s story is one everyone should read, and one most women will relate to on some level. Have some tissues at the ready if you’re a crier (…I’m not but it was a rough go for a bit), and I also don’t recommend reading this one on public transit (what can I say, I have a long commute).
“Mrs. Everything” by Jennifer Weiner. I flew through this one over the summer, and it’s probably my favorite of Weiner’s books. Weiner traces the lives of two sisters through the lens of American history and American feminism. One grows up to marry and have children; the other drifts a bit before settling down. Their journeys are a thought-provoking look at second-wave feminism and how our families shape us (or, don’t).
“Tell Me Lies” by Carola Lovering. Told from two different perspectives, this novel examines an emotionally abusive relationship in one of the more realistic portrayals I’ve ever read. It was uncomfortable to read at times, but I found it thoughtful and non-apologetic. You’ll likely relate to Lucy on some level.
“Love, Loss, and What We Ate” by Padma Lakshmi. One of my favorite celebrity memoirs, ever. As mentioned above, I don’t love cooking, so unsurprisingly, I’ve never seen an episode of “Top Chef.” But more than one friend recommended Padma’s memoir to me, and her writing is absolutely incredible. (Apparently, my fave Nora Ephron was a mentor.) Padma writes about growing up in India, New York, and California, and how the food her family made shaped her life.
Honorable Mentions:
“Catch and Kill” by Ronan Farrow (Elizabeth’s review here)
“The Swallows” by Lisa Lutz (my review here)
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